Secondary school is a big transition and it can be very difficult to get used to. However, it's also an exciting opportunity to make new friends and experience new activities. This article will help you to survive all the dramas going on around you in a new school.

Steps

1

Try not to be scared. Even if you are, try to think positive! Think about how more in-depth your favourite lessons will now be, and think of all the better alternative friends you'll make besides your old friends. Think about how you no longer need to worry about seeing the teachers and pupils you hated in Primary.

2

Talk to other students in your tutor group, and get to know them. You could end up with many new friends. Don't be too needy and talk to every group of people but also don't be picky and be full of yourself, don't judge your classmates, be friends with them and then you'll see the better side of them which you want to hang around with.

3

Keep in touch with old friends. If there are not many old friends at your new school, don't fret, just keep trying to make new friends and you'll do fine at secondary school, and you will survive it with friends beside you.

4

Don't pick on people! Other students will just think you are a horrible person, and won't give you any respect. You might even get bullied yourself. Bullying is just wrong, it what causes you to have no friends, get along with everyone and don't sink to a bully's level, if a classmate is rude to you, walk away, and try to be friends with another more kind classmate who will most likely end up with friends, unlike bullies.

5

Try to participate in lessons - there's no harm in trying. Even if the answer is wrong, it is alright! You might even understand the topic better if you try. In fact, getting the answer wrong can sometimes be amusing, but still, don't do it on purpose as it will just make you look silly.

6

Try not to be obnoxious. Don't be dependent on people and hook to one person, as sometimes they will find it annoying, don't do annoying things that will put people off from being around you, alternate between formal and casual.

7

Join some after-school clubs. It's a great way to make new friends and have something fun to do after school!

8

Do your homework as soon as you get home. That might sound like a total bore, but at least you'll have the whole evening to do whatever you want! This will help you survive, as you won't have all your teachers catching up and picking on you for not doing your homework.

9

Try not to argue with your friends within the first few weeks. It will just make you feel even more sad and scared. If you do argue, apologize and let it blow over. If you are worried, speak to a teacher, a parent, etc. and they can help with your problems.

10

It takes time to get a bond with friends. It takes time to form a social group among your friends. It takes time to make friends, about a month in you should have a few friends, but you'll notice as you form into half-term and then into the next year group, you will gain more and more connections, with both younger and older students.

11

Enjoy yourself, and open yourself up to new experiences! Just do the best you can in all subjects and you'll get along just fine. A school night may make you feel like not going to school tomorrow but once you're in the building, you'll feel there's no need to be scared and no reason not to come in the mornings. Just do what the government asks, get a good amount of information in your brain, and before you know it you would have finished your GCSEs and rocket into College, which is a whole other, better, story.

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Tips

You don't have to be a complete goody-goody, but try to keep a clean sheet. Basically, try not to get told off, or get detention!

If other students don't like you the way you are, don't bother with them at all. Why waste your time with people who want to change you!

Try your hardest in lessons, and don't give up!

Believe in yourself, and think inside your mind that you are important, and people will begin to take note and see you as a kind and confident student!

Have fun, and enjoy secondary school!

Being arrogant is not good if you want to make friends. If you feel the urge to be rude, think it, and don't say it!

Even if you aren't scared or nervous, be confident but make sure you don't come across as ignorant or full of yourself or else you might find yourself having more trouble making friends as you expected.

It's okay to be intelligent!

Everyone in the first year will be just as scared as you, so don't be a bully, and try to be kind to people. Treat other pupils with respect!

Talk to as many people (boys AND girls) as you can and join in with conversations at break times!

If you're scared, try not to worry. talk to a teacher or an adult you trust about the problem - they will be able to help.

Don't forget your old friends, but try to make new ones, as well!

Warnings

Do not be a bully. Bullies are cowards, and being a bully is wrong. If you are being bullied, speak to an adult you trust.

Smoking and taking drugs are the not the answers to your problems, no matter what other students say. You must tell someone, because drugs can kill. People do get asked and you see girls liking boys who smoke, but once you're old you'll be a healthy man or women while the pupil who smoked probably has terrible body problems, or might even be dead.

Do not pressure yourself, or other people to do things they don't want to do.

Laugh at silly faux pas and errors you make, such as tripping over or saying something out of turn. Show that you are strong and always stay at the positive side. If you do not want to laugh at yourself, then ignore the laughter of others and act like you do not care.